Ankle support



April 15, 1958 E. l. WEISS ANKLE SUFYPORT' Filed April 21, 1955 vINVENTOR EFRAM I. WEISS ATTORNEY United States Patent G ANKLE SUPPORTEfrain I. Weiss, New York, N. Y. Application April 21, 1955, Serial No.502,951 8 Claims. (Cl. 128-466) The present invention relates to anankle support generally, and more particularly to an ankle support forsupporting and protecting the ankle and associated parts of the humanfoot in high-topped shoes used in sports, including skating, skiing, andthe like.

Persons engaging in strenuous sports, including skating, skiing,mountain climbing, and the like, require eflicient and comfortable anklesupport. In the past, higb-topped shoes used with such sports have beenfound to chafe and irritate the foot portions. Prior art methods ofinsuring a tight fit of the shoes have necessitated the use of anklestraps, and the like, which often aggravate the chafing and discomfort.

The present invention, accordingly, is directed to an improved anklesupport for use in high-topped shoes which avoids irritation and chafingand yet provides adequate support by filling out the voids and hollowsbetween the shoe and the foot around the ankle and heel portions.

Specifically, the ankle support of the present invention supports thewearers ankle by filling the vacant spaces between the shoe and thewearers foot adjacent the ankle on either side of the Achilles tendon,thus serving as a wedge to prevent slipping and up and down movement ofthe heel within the shoe.

The ankle support of the present invention is inexpensive ofmanufacture, durable and simple in construction. Other objects andadvantages of the invention will be apparent.

The present invention generally comprises an ankle support comprising abody portion adapted to encircle the ankle at the ankle bone, the bodyincluding .a stirrup member to pass under the foot of the wearer,detachable fastening means for adjustably securing the front portions ofthe support to each other, the body portion being pro vided with a pairof pneumatic cushions adapted to rest against each ankle bone on eitherside of the Achilles tendon of the wearer.

The invention further comprises such a support where-. in the pneumaticcushions are connected by an inflatable connector adapted to extendaround the Achilles tendon. The invention further comprises such asupport wherein said pneumatic cushions are inflatable through aflexible tube and the inflating fluid is confined by means of a valvecarried by said tube. The invention additionally comprises such an anklesupport wherein the fastening means comprise eyes carried on the bodyportion and laces for lacing the ends of the body portion together atthe wearers instep.

Referring to the drawings;

Fig. 1 is a view of the inside of the ankle support, shown removed fromthe wearers foot.

Fig. 2 is a view in elevation of the inside of the wearers foot showingthe ankle support in position and the boot in dot-dash lines.

Fig. 3 is a view in elevation of the outside of the wearers foot showingthe ankle support in position and the boot in dot-dash lines.

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Fig. 4 is a front top perspective view of the ankle support on thewearers foot.

The ankle support comprises a body portion 11 formed of rubber orflexible plastic material having a flexible stirrup member 12 adapted topass under the wearers foot at the arch. A pair of pneumatic cushions orinflatable bladders 13 of impervious material are carried on saidsupport 11 at positions such that they cover the ankle bones and extendrearwardly thereof on either side of the Achilles tendon 21. Aninflatable connecting portion 14 connects the two cushions 13 and thecushions are inflatable through tube 15, preferably flexible, providedwith a suitable valve 16. The ends of the body portion 11 are providedwith detachable fastening means for adjustably securing them together atthe instep of the wearers foot. Lacing eyes 17 and a lace 18 may be usedas shown in the drawings or any equivalent fastening means such asstraps, buckles, hooks and the like may be used. i

As shown in Fig. 1, the pneumatic cushions 13 and the connecting portion14 are preferably formed integrally with the body portion 11, byproviding a doubled piece of rubber or plastic material of the generalshape shown and sealing the two portions together as at 20 to define thecushion members. Other types of construction may be employed, however,if desired, such as uniting the pneumatic cushions to theankle-encircling body portion.

In use the ankle support with the cushions deflated is placed on thewearers foot to encircle the ankle with the flexible stirrup 12extending under the arch. The end portions are then laced tightly at theinstep and the hightopped boot or shoe placed on the foot. After theshoe is laced up comfortably, the pneumatic cushions are inflatedthrough tube 15 by means of a suitable pump and the valve 16 is thenclosed to retain the air or other inflating fluid in the cushions. Thecushions are preferably inflated to such a degree as spaces between therear of the ankle and the shoe 19.

The cushions thus fill out the voids between the shoe and the rear ofthe ankle on either side of the Achilles tendon, providing comfortablesupport and protection for the ankle. The inflated cushions wedgebetween the shoe and the portions rearwardly of the ankle on either sideof the Achilles tendon, thus preventing the wearers heel from sliding upand down within the shoe. The inflatable connecting portion 14additionally fills the void between the shoe and the Achilles tendon,thus providing further support and preventing up and down motion of theheel within the shoe. At those positions where the wearers foot normallytightly contacts the shoe, such as the forward portions of the anklebones, the cushions will not be inflated to any appreciable degree.Thus, the ankle support of the present invention gives support where itis needed on either side of the Achilles tendon and rearwardly of theankle bone while not causing discomfort in those regions where the shoeis in firm contact with the wearers foot.

While the invention has been described in terms of certain embodiments,such description is to be interpreted in an illustrative rather than ina limiting sense. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art thatmany modifications may be devised and it is intended to cover all suchmodifications as fall within the spirit and scope of the appendedclaims.

I claim:

1. An ankle support and protector, comprising a body portion adapted toencircle the ankle at the ankle bone, said body including a stirrupmember to pass under the foot of the wearer, detachable fastening meansfor adjustably securing the front portions ofthe support to each other,said body portion being provided with a pair of pneumatic cushionsadapted to rest against and cover to completely fill the vacant eachankle bone, on either side of the Achil1es-tendon of the wearer.

2. The ankle support set forth in claim 1 wherein said detachablefastening means comprise lace means adapted to be fastened at thewearers instep.

3. The ankle support set forth in claim 1 including an inflation tubefor inflating said cushions and a valve carried by said tube forretaining the inflating fluid in said cushions.

4. An ankle support and protector, comprising a body portion adapted toencircle the ankle at the ankle bone, said body including a stirrupmember to pass under the foot of .the wearer, detachable fastening meansfor adjustably securing the front portions of the support to each other,said body portionbeing provided with a pair of interconnected pneumaticcushions adapted torest against and cover each anklebone, said pneumaticcushions being connected by an inflatable connector adapted to extendaround the Achilles tendon of the wearer.

5. The ankle support-set forth in claim 4-wherein said detachablefastening means comprise lace means adapted to be fastened at thewearers instep.

6. The ankle support set forth in claim 4 including an inflation tubefor inflating said cushions and a valve carried by .said tube forretaining the inflating fluid in said cushions.

7. An ankle support comprising a'fiexible band adapted to encircle theankle of the wearers foot, said band having two terminal portionsadapted to meet at the instep of the wearers foot, means for fasteningsaid terminal portions together at the instep, a stirrup strap securedat each and adapted to be positioned under the arch of the wearers footand a pair of pneumatic cushions carried by said band adapted to restagainst and cover each ankle bone and extend rearwardly of each anklebone on either side of the Achilles tendon of the wearers foot.

8. The ankle support set forth in claim 7 wherein said pair of pneumaticcushions are interconnected by an inflatable portion adapted to extendaround the Achilles tendon of the Wearers foot.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,658,037 Bromley Feb. 7, 1928 2,638,690 Bullard May 19, 1953

